10 July 2002
Goff Offers Excuses For US Administration Over Saffi Case
Green MP Keith Locke has rebutted Foreign Minister Phil Goff's view that Mohammed Saffi violated US immigration laws.
"Mr Saffi was clearly in the US for a four day flight simulation test as required to update his flight engineers ticket.
He wasn't there to learn anything or 'attend school' and so was not required to get an additional visa.
"Mt information is that Mr Saffi was not provided with the legal representation that would have enabled him to establish
his right to stay and continue his test," said Mr Locke.
"Everyone in the United States knows that Mr Saffi was not held on a technicality but because it suited the Bush
administration to use him as 'Saddam's son in law' to feed anti-terrorism hysteria.
"Mr Goff should stand up for a fine New Zealander and not just accept American excuses," said Mr Locke.
Ends